Pets

Murphy

Murphy is a Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever, born in BC and raised on Vancouver Island. He often visits the lab office to advise on our ongoing projects, and to nap. His interests include swimming, sticks, and snacks. He is not a fan of skateboards or cats, and is a little upset by the number of felines sharing this page with him.

Nikita

Nikita is a friendly (but sassy) tortie cat adopted from the SPCA in Victoria. Her favourite things include fuzzy blankets and canned food- do not open a can of beans around Nikita, as she will get very upset that it is not for her. She is also strongly of the opinion that laps are for her to sit on, NOT for laptops, and she routinely makes contributions to experimental plans and manuscripts by stepping on her mom’s keyboard.

Goose

Goose is a Canada-wide traveller born in Chatham Ontario, and moved to Victoria at the ripe age of 1. Using food as an incentive, he does a myriad of tricks including sit and high-five. He enjoys lounging in grocery bags and baskets where he can deposit optimal amounts of fun on clean pieces of clothing and groceries. Goose loves a variety of snacks including rouge pieces of popcorn and frozen blueberries. Most recently, he has enjoyed leisurely toilet bowel swims, until he learned the meaning of biosafety-level baths.

Mabel

Mabel is a St. Bernard and Lab mixed breed and epitomizes the term “gentle giant”. She was born in British Columbia and moved to Newfoundland before her first birthday to advise her mom in grad school.

After a successful couple of years befriending anyone and anything that crossed her path on the Atlantic Coast, Mabel decided to try her luck on the Pacific Coast and embarked on a road trip across Canada where she is continuing her role as grad-student advisor.

Mabel loves to play keep-away, enjoys the unbridled joy of a good stick (chewing or chasing, she’s not particular), and understands the importance of a good snuggle session.

Clarence

Clarence is a Golden Retriever born and raised on Vancouver Island. With a goofy personality and a love for meeting new people, he’s always the first to greet visitors. His favourite pastimes include fishing for minnows, squirting geoducks, and diving for rocks at the beach.

When he’s not making friends, Clarence enjoys playing with his feline brother and trying to secure as many scratches as possible.

Peaka and Toji

Peaka is a Doberman born in Grande Prairie, AB but soon moved to her forever home in Victoria, BC. She was later joined by her feline brother Toji, who was rescued from Saskatchewan and brought to Vancouver Island by the Victoria Humane Society.

Toji loves to knock things over and sneak attack his big-sister, Peaka, from above. Peaka has grown wary of Toji’s shenanigans, but does allow him to join her for her favourite activity (napping). Both Toji and Peaka enjoy long walks and exploring the great outdoors, and they both have a special interest in wildlife (Peaka likes squirrels and Toji likes birds).

Peaka is very concerned with the wellbeing of her family, getting the appropriate amount of petting, and going to bed early. Whereas Toji only appears to be concerned with world domination, escaping the house, and playing with his favourite toy (named Fishy).

Dee Dee and Olive

Dee Dee is a Chihuahua-Weiner born in the tropical lands of Mexico. She moved to Victoria as a puppy, and loves her fleece blankets and food, particularly edamame beans. While she loves a good snuggle, in her old age she has very little time for new people or her playful sister Olive and instead prefers to nap away the hours between mealtimes.

Olive is a Havanese-mix that was born and raised here on Vancouver Island. She loves walks, treats, and her stuffed teddy bear and her interests include guarding the front door from intruders (the mailman), chasing squirrels, and annoying her older sister. She enjoys a good walk along the beach, and despises her regular trips to the groomer.